Waterdeep: STREET LIGHTING MAGES' FRAUD REVEALED
The group of mages who were employed by the city authorities to
cast Continual Light spells on street corners in the city's latest
push against crime have been arrested for fraud! The mages clearly
found this business highly profitable, and didn't want the business to
stop, so they employed thieves and urchins to sabotage the continual
lights, thus ensuring more business for themselves! The mages
concerned have not been named, but are expected to have a heavy fine
imposed at a closed Magister's hearing.

Daggerford: DISUSED MINE TAKEN OVER BY LIZARDMAN SLAVERS
Our sources reveal that a gem mine on the edge of the Lizard Mine
near Daggerford, which had been left unused for several years, has
apparently been taken over by lizardmen, who are manning it with
slaves. Daggerford authorities refused to comment on this, but it has
been noted that a militia special squad did leave Daggerford heading
for the Lizard March.
It is conjectured that this increase in lizardman activity has
something to do with the strange green beacon visible from near the
Lizard Marsh, although we have nothing to prove this.

Waterdeep: RESCUE MISSION DISAPPEARS IN UNDERMOUNTAIN
A group of adventurers which has worked part time for the City
Watch entered Undermountain through the Yawning Portal with the
intention of rescuing some friends. However, they have been gone over
a week now, and nothing has been heard of them. A witness who saw
them go down, however, said that they had a huge amount of provisions,
and that they spoke of a Black Portal, which they were intending to
enter.

Andy Merritt: amerritt@armltd.co.ukDamara/Barony of Morov/Loon Village (original village 15 miles NW of Morovar, at the east bank of Goliad River)DR1149 (FR1359-Year of the Serpent)
Wednesday, 20th of March (Ches of the Sunsets)

HILL EXPLODED

A small hill one-hour walk East of Loon Village was exploded this
afternoon. On the east side of the hill used to be the house of a
long dead evil mage (name unknown). The west side of the house
appeared to be carved inside the hill (who knows how far inside...)
The house was reported to be full of skeletons, zombies and other
undead creatures. Many parties who tried to clear the place were
turned into zombies themselves, due to a powerful curse which was set
on the house. The last party reported to enter the house was an
adventuring group named AID, consisting of 4 persons and one wolf:

Roger Green, human male, druid (6th level)
Morgan Sibilius, half-elf male, fighter/thief (5th/5th)
Merlin Skywalker, half-elf male, fighter/mage (5th/5th)
Elvis Garnseath, human male, bard (7th)
Jaana, wolf female (druid's companion)
The AID group has not returned yet from their mission and if they
caused the hill to explode, maybe no one will hear from them again...

Kyriakos Sgarbas: sgarbas@grpatvx1.bitnetWaterdeep: NUMBER OF RATS IN SEWERS INCREASING
It has been reported that there are a larger number of rats in the
Dock Ward and surrounding areas than is usual. Rumor doth attribute
this to some unusual movement in the sewers, possibly some lost
monster or maybe a clan of wererats. Both possibilities are overheard
with about the same frequency.

GUARD TACKLES SMUGGLING OPERATIONS
The City Guard has been cracking down on smuggling through the
caves in the cliffs just north of the city. There have been three
public expulsions from the City so far, and rumors of more to come.

GRAIN PRICES INCREASE, RIOTS EXPECTED
The citizens of Trades, Dock, and South are hearing ugly rumors
that the recent drastic increase in bread and similar products is due
to a certain merchant, nameless here until some proof is garnered, who
is stockpiling grain to jack up the price. The Bakers guild merely
comments that the price of grain has indeed doubled, but refuses to
speculate as to the reason. The Watch is preparing for riots if the
price doesn't come down soon.

TRAPS TRIPPED AT GEM SHOP
Twice last night the door traps on Halazar's Fine Gems were
tripped, sending Walls of Fire up around the building. The Watch has
said that the first was due to a nearly unconscious halfling, drunken
and lost. No explanation for the second trigger was given. People in
the area recall youths not seen before playing in the area for the
past couple of days.

GYPSY SHOW PERFORMING DAILY
There is a gypsy-band staying in the city, currently at the
Dripping Dagger, which is putting on a show near the Market each
afternoon.

The Yeomanry: LOFTWICK LIBERATED
The humanoid army laying siege to the City of Loftwick was
repelled by a fiery barrage of magical fireworks the likes of which
has not been seen before. Fireballs fell from the sky and toasted the
dismayed humanoid army (The Mage's Tower was destroyed by a suspicious
earthquake just days before the siege began). It was reported that
the twenty-mage attack was led by a stranger wearing a brown fedora
riding a griffon.
The day following the liberation, the adventuring group called The
Company (which is led by the elven paladin [see TAJ v1 #2 "HUMANOIDS
ATTACK" for more information]) left Loftwick, heading for the Joten
and Crystalmist Mountains.

Crystalmist Mountains: EARTHQUAKE RUMBLES CRYSTALMIST MOUNTAINS
A week after the liberation of Loftwick, a great earthquake shook
the nearby Crystalmist Moutains. The quake was felt in Loftwick but
there was no damage. There are no reports from the area.

Loftwick: CITY BLOCKS BURN
A large city block burned down in the downtown (way downtown)
section. Four abandoned buildings were destroyed and five bodies with
the remains of armor and weapons on them were found in the ruins. The
fire was not the cause of all the deaths, most of the bodies had
severe wounds. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Loftwick: BUILDING COLLAPSES DURING FIGHT - Known Halfling Caught In Collapse
An abandoned building collapsed during a fight between three
humans (no names available at the time of the report) and Eddon "The
Halfling Tank" (Eddon is one of the members of the adventuring group
called "The Company"). The humans were harassing a group of five
halfling refugees when one the humans ended up causing an injury to a
young halfling lad. The other halflings stepped to the aide of their
young friend. The much larger humans had no trouble handling the
halflings until a miniature suit of shining plate armor waded into the
brawl. According to reports, Eddon pickup one human and threw him out
of the building's archway. The other two humans then grabbed Eddon,
picked him up, and threw him into one of the building's lower
supports, knocking out the support. The humans fled as the building
started to collapse. Upon getting back to his feet and seeing the
disaster about to happen, Eddon shoved the halflings out of the
building only to be caught in the collapse himself.
Eddon was severely injured in the collapse. It took over an hour
to extract Eddon even with the help of his friends from The Company.
Due to the nature of The Company's mission, Eddon told his friends to
continue their mission without him. The Company left hours later,
heading for the lower spur of the Jotten Mountains. The nature of
Eddon's injuries have not been released, but the attending High Priest
of Arvorine was quoted saying "...even with all our prayers, he won't
walk again short of a miracle."

J. Scott Hayes: jshaye@tsrv1.ts.wm.eduBissel, Thornwood: MERCHANTS' GUILD CAUSES HAVOK, KET SUSPECTED
A recent attempt by a merchants' guild to hire a group of
adventurers for a spot of detective work resulted in demon and
elemental summoning, the destruction of a small area of the city and
finally the capture, prosecution, and execution of the adventurers
involved. All these actions have left the city in a state of chaos.
Various rumours point to Ket, and there are also unconfirmed reports
of increased activity along the Bissel/Ket border.

Kozmo: mcc5@uk.ac.leicesterSaltmarsh: AMBUSH OF FISH WAGON NEAR SALTMARSH
A party of adventurers recently saw of an ambush of a fish wagon
that has the authorites of Saltmarsh baffled. The caravan was ambushed
on its way north from Saltmarsh and the bandits cut down the guards
and a number of the group before the arrival of an helpful Archer
served to sway the battle. The bandits only seemed to have interest in
a specific box of fish which had been taken on board at the last
moment. The merchant and the wagon boy who had received the box were
both killed in the attack. With the proximity of night, a watch was
set and the box and fish examined. The box seemed to hold an
enchantment to keep its temperature cold but nothing more. The fish
were taken from their ice packing and examined but nothing unusual was
discovered.
During the night, several different disturbing nightmares were had
by the group which caused the Holy warrior to return to her family in
Saltmarsh to check on their health and has caused the elf in the party
to be unsettled by "Bad" dreams. He has been displaying unusual
behaviour patterns since then avoiding sleep and any rest. The remains
of the caravan's crew and the caravan were handed in to the
authorities in Saltmarsh!

Desert south of Tyr: GLADIATOR BAND SIGHTED, PURSUED BY TEMPLARS
The gladiators searching for the ruins have been sighted, heading
southwards towards an oasis that legend says appears and disappears at
random intervals. There is no word yet as to whether or not the band
has actually found the ruins it sought, though one merchant caravan,
recognizing the description of one of the members of the band,
reported to Kalak's templars that an additional person joined their
party during the night the band and the caravan spent together.
The templars thanked the merchant, and then sent some mercenaries
and half a dozen of their own to bring this party, in their words, "to
justice."

Tyr: NOBLE DISAPPEARS AFTER FAILED REBELLION
The templars have begun another reign of terror, cracking down
because of recent rebellion. They have announced that a noble, said
to be the same one searching for the ruins, is suspected for inciting
the rebellion, but no names have been named yet. They attempted to
collect him, but he apparently had fled the city without being seen.
A reward has been placed on the noble's head.

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Fort Doom
DUKE SAVED FROM CERTAIN DEATH
Duke Stefan Karameikos has today on his way back to Karameikos
after being rescued by a party of daring adventurers from the clutches
of the Black Baron. The Duke was about to be killed by a Rite of
Disintegration when the brave party of adventurers advanced on the
Castle where he was being held. After a short battle with a large
dragon-like creature, which had earlier killed 2 members of the group
and a large portion of the soldiers with the group, in which they
managed to roast it, one of the Elves proceeded in invisible to scout
out the castle.
After waiting for the fool to return, the rest of the party
entered the castle on the back of the other Elf polymorphed into the
shape of a griffin and found a large floating black ball chasing the
scout. After defeating it in combat, the group was attacked by a
varying band of hellspawned dogs, blue skinned humanoids and large
poison spiked hedgehogs. These were overcome due to previous knowledge
gained by fighting these creatures, and the group ran to the Duke's
aid. As they entered the domed building where the duke was being
held, they saw a number of mages via by teleportation only to be
confronted by three plate clad figures and the Baron himself.
Behind them was the Duke, or what was left of him, laid on a stone
slab, with ashes drifting off of his body as the skin and muscles
slowly disintegrated. After a large fight, the Baron and his men were
defeated, leaving the group of four with only the 2 elves standing.
The Duke rewarded the group with land and made Alison de Berne,
fighter extraordinaire, the title of Baron of the Black Barony.
The question now is will Bargle, the Baron's court magician,
relinquish his hold on the Barony without a fight? Also in question is
the slow increase in area of the provinces of the Vyalian Elves after
one of their number was granted her second land claim on the edge of
the Dymrak woods.

MELANDRA, INSANE ELF.: mcspikgfm@vaxd.dct.ac.ukThe Republic of Darokin, Armstead
SEARCH FOR TOWER A FAILURE, TO BE TRIED AGAIN
The small band of adventurers returned from the first round of
searches for the tower of the wizard Conor MacGregor. They reported
failure to find the tower, although they ran into a small tribe of
hobgoblins and extracted some information from them. They will
shortly head to the west, after they have resupplied, as that is the
direction the hobgoblins said Conor's messengers always came from.

The Republic of Darokin, Darokin City
INVESTIGATOR REPORTS TO CHANCELLOR, OPTIONS BEING CONSIDERED
The special investigator arrived earlier today, reporting to the
Chancellor that the situation in Armstead and Nemiston is as bad as
initial reports indicated. The Chancellor is meeting with advisors to
decide upon a course of action.

Glantri, Glantri City
INVESTIGATOR SEARCHING FILES OF THE SCHOOL OF MAGIC
The Darokinian investigator, seeking information on Conor and
Angus MacGregor, has arrived and, by order of the government, is being
given access to the student records at the School of Magic. So far,
the search has turned up no likely prospects, despite indications that
the two mages, currently waging a private war against portions of
Darokin, were trained here.

Glantri, Viscompty de Malinbois
WERE-HUNTERS HAVING LITTLE SUCCESS, TENSION LEVELS MOUNT
Bounty hunters and were-creature hunters have nearly overrun the
area, despite the fact that no lycanthropes of any sort have
successfully been killed since the death of the representatives of the
Fellowship of Were-hunters. More than two score of the newly arrived
hunters, however, have already been buried, and twice that number are
recovering in crammed hospices, tended to by local mystics and
healers. Three of the hunters have already been put to death for the
heresy of calling on gods to save them from their wounds.
The situation is getting very tense, and some of the peasants have
begun fleeing the area and moving elsewhere to avoid the distrust that
has sprung up. Neighbors no longer trust neighbors, and tempers are
reported to be hair-trigger.

Alfheim, Alfheim City and environs
SHADOW ELVEN MOVEMENT DISBANDED, OFFICIALS HOPEFUL
Members of the Shadow Elven underground movement have been
apprehended, some are said to be Shadow Elves that have undergone
surgical procedures to alter their distinctive features, and others
are sympathizers that want to be "reunited with our brethren."
Hopefully, officials said with a slight smile, this has cut off the
head of the serpent, and not merely its tail.

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Threshold
THRESHOLD SAVED BY ARRIVAL OF PALADIN
A paladin of Petra arrived earlier, during the night, as an orcish
army began assaulting outlying areas. She was conducted to Patriarch
Sherlane's presence, where she was asked to help in the defense of the
city. She and her companions, working with the army, a volunteer and
slightly crazy wizard, and her young pet dragon successfully routed
the orcs after the mage began burning everything, one of her
companions caused the siege engines to self-destruct, and the dragon's
fear aura swept over the orcs.
She is reportedly seeking information about the mountains to the
north.

Atruaghin Clans, Lands of the Children of the Horse
YOUTHS SUCCESSFUL IN VENTURE TO LAY SPIRITS TO REST
The youths sent to lay the spirits of their departed to rest have
returned, reporting that they were unsuccessful in saving the shamani
who was first sent to investigate. However, they slew one of the
Children of the Tiger, who had erected a small temple at the far end
of the lake, where he was performing hideous rituals on the dead.
The Children of the Horse have sent messengers to the other three
clans, to inform them of this transgression, and of an intent to
retaliate against the Children of the Tiger. There is some concern
that the retaliation may turn into war, or may be unsuccessful as the
Children of the Tiger live in the swamps south of the great plateau.

Hollow World, Azcan Empire, Chitlacan
MAJOR REBEL SACRIFICED IN CHITLACAN, SOME CONCERN AROUSED BY CEREMONY
The high priest of Atzanteotl, in a triumphant ceremony, today
sacrificed an old man who claimed to be a priest of Atruatzin, the
Quetzalcoatl. This man, whose name is unknown, died on the altar,
unsaved by his supposed god.
However, the city is quiet but restless, as during the ceremony,
just before the old man was slain, four simultaneous flights of birds
rose from the four points of the compass, flying over the city and
into the heavens, and there was a mysterious and brief shower of
petals on the gathered crowd. The priests of Atzanteotl are seeking
whoever is responsible, as one of the teachings of this hidden church
of Atruatzin is that birds and flowers are acceptable as sacrifices,
rather than humans. No one has been caught yet.

Hollow World, The Milenian Empire
HIGH PRIESTESS OF PETRA DELIVERS MESSAGE OF WARNING
The high priestess of Petra, in a speech to the followers of Petra
gathered at a major festival, suddenly began speaking in a low voice
that somehow carried over the entire crowd. Though no one has the
full text of her speech, it conveyed a warning against the followers
of Night and that some sort of champion, one of Petra's own
followers, would arrive to save the sun.
Those who heard it are hopeful, but also worried at what it might
portend.

Ægypt, Town of Soleb
ARMY AND CARAVAN DEMOLISHED BY RAIDERS
Reports have begun filtering back concerning the fate of the
forces sent to Fort Nefer-Khufu on the Keshu-Ægypt border. Citizens
are concerned, as the supply caravan was reportedly attacked by
nomadic raiders, and two columns of the Ægyptian army apparently ran
into heavy battle. Rumor has casualties very high, although one
supposed eyewitness assured people that fewer were killed than
initially thought, because a couple hours after the battles were
fought, they picked themselves up and continued their march.

Ægypt, Fort Nefer-Khufu
PIVOTAL FORT NOW CONTROLLED BY UNDEAD
The remnants of a supply caravan and two columns of soldiers
arrived earlier, after investigating a desecrated tomb to the north.
They were hesitant to make contact, as the first indications were that
the inhabitants of the fort were undead, and some investigation on the
part of their mageling showed that this was, indeed, the case.
They attempted one attack, hoping to lay the restless dead at
peace, but it was unsuccessful as undeath apparently had little effect
on their mages' prowess. The party is contemplating further action,
hoping to tidy up these problems before others are caught by the
undead.

LOCAL DWARF RESCUES VILLAGE ELDERS
StoneLane
When the village elders from the gold mining village of Stonelane
disappeared during a trip out of town, Stoner McSpade, entrepreneur
and Dwarf-About-Town, decided to do something about it. He rounded up
some friends and set out to find out what happened. His party, made up
of himself, 3 clerics, a druid, a ranger, and a young mage set out
from StoneLane and quickly found the blood-stained wagon that the
elders were using. Using the ranger's tracking skills, they followed
tracks made by the kidnappers. After a minor incident during which one
of the clerics claimed to have been possessed by a long dead spirit
and then stole some funds from the party members, the party tracked
the kidnappers down.
The kidnappers had taken over an old stronghold, and after dealing
with some guards and a small tribe of hobgoblins, the party
infiltrated the caverns below the keep. The party defeated some
zombies that were guarding a secret entrance to the stronghold, and
managed to enter the crypts of the stronghold. After some exploring,
one of the clerics (the one that claimed to have been possessed) was
turned into a giant slug by a trap. The party secured the area and
returned to StoneLane to report their findings. A patrol of the Duke's
guards later stormed the stronghold, to find it deserted except for
the missing elders who were found locked in some cells.
The village elders were returned safe and sound to StoneLane,
thanks to the determination and leadership of local dwarf, Stoner
McSpade.

FIRE AT MINE RULED ACCIDENTAL
A fire in a storage shed at the StoneLane gold mine was ruled an
accident late last week. No one was injured in the fire which
completely gutted one shed and did some minor damage to another.

STORMS DRENCH MOUNTAINS
An unusually fierce rain storm swept the mountains north of
StoneLane earlier this month. Several passes were blocked as several
mudslides resulted from the unseasonal storm. There is no news of the
party of adventurers from StoneLane that were last seen heading into
the mountains in the area.

WARNING: DRAGON MIGRATIONS
Rumours of a vast dragon migration are being reported. One sage
was heard to claim "Them dragons are heading south for the winter."
Others say it is a just a story being used to frighten young children
and rangers. Anyone who has any information on this are requested to
contact The Adventurer's Journal.

Alexandrian Empire, Selune: Fall 335, Third Dynasty
SELUNE FREED!
Selune has been freed! Once again the Dogs of War have risen to
the task! The Dogs were commissioned by the Great Library to travel to
the town of Selune and investigate a wizards tower there, which is
believed to contain books dating back to the Second Dynasty. The Dogs
traveled to the tiny village, and discovered a fairly unfriendly town.
The only place that would harbor these brave heros was a temple to
Chauntea. Indeed, the cleric there seemed very anxious to have them stay
there. After getting the priest stinking drunk, they searched the
temple grounds and discovered two things. First, all the plants that
were sown in the last month grew twisted and malformed, and second, a
secret door leading to an underground complex.
Investigating this complex revealed an Illithid, who had not only
charmed the entire town, but a hatchling red dragon as well! Through
bravery, skill, and an adventuring party the size of a small army, the
Dogs prevailed against this most horrid foe, and saved the town.
The Dogs will be wintering in Selune to nurse their wounds, and
expect to investigate the wizards tower immediately after the first
thaw.

RANGER COMISSIONED TO RECOVER ENCHANTED BLADE
A ranger in my campaign has just received a message from the
sheriff of a small town asking to keep an eye out for her sword. The
sword is magical (in a magical item scarce campaign) and was passed
down through 3 (elven) generations to the present owner. The ranger
has seen it and knows that it can be recognized by its exceptional
craftsmanship as well as by the inscription DOMINUS ET DEUS etched
boldly into one side of the blade.